Abstract

Clustering and weak magnetic coupling of doped transition metals (TMs) have hampered the potential spintronic applications of many magnetic semiconductors. Here, the influence of the host crystal magnetic background on the magnetic coupling and clustering of TM impurities is studied theoretically, with a comparison of a series of TMs (V, Cr, Fe, Co, and Ni) in MnTe, ZnTe, and CdTe hosts. We found that the antiferromagnetic(AFM) background of MnTe degrades the clustering tendency of the studied TM impurities (except Ni). Meanwhile, the AFM background of MnTe significantly enhances the magnetic coupling of doped Fe, Co, and Ni pairs in general, either ferromagnetically (for Fe, Ni) or antiferromagnetically (for Co). The enhanced ferromagnetic coupling and weakened clustering of Fe impurities in MnTe imply that an AFM background of host semiconductors may aid the development of high TCmagnetic semiconductors with intrinsic magnetism.

Received 07 May 2013Accepted 11 August 2013Published online 27 August 2013

Acknowledgments:

This work was supported by the NSFC (Grant No. 11174082). Computer time at the National Supercomputing Center in Shenzhen (NSCCSZ) and the ScGrid of the Supercomputing Center, Computer Network Information Center of CAS is gratefully acknowledged.

Key Topics

[Magnets or magnetic bodies characterised by the
magnetic materials therefor; Selection of materials for their magnetic
properties, Magnets or magnetic bodies characterised by the magnetic materials therefor; Selection of materials for their magnetic properties]